Cottage cheese lasagne

Cottage cheese lasagne

1 h 45 min
Our cottage cheese lasagne with pulled chicken is a cosy take on the beloved Italian staple. It combines layers of lasagne sheets and savoury pulled chicken with rich tomato sauce made with sautéed carrots, onions, celery, and creamy cottage cheese. Topped with melted, golden mozzarella cheese, it is a warm, comforting meal ideal for family dinners or friendly get-togethers.
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Instructions

Pulled chicken
  • Bring salted water to a boil and cook the chicken fillets in the water over medium heat, covered with a lid, for about 10 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken pieces from the water and let them cool on a plate – save about 150 ml of the cooking water.
  • Shred the chicken fillets into smaller pieces with two forks.
Tomato sauce
  • Melt butter over high heat in a medium-sized pot without letting it brown.
  • Sauté the fresh vegetables for about 3 minutes and add tomatoes, cooking water, paprika, basil, salt, and pepper.
  • Let the sauce simmer on low heat, covered with a lid, for about 20 minutes, then stir in the pulled chicken.
Lasagne
  • Layer the lasagne in a greased ovenproof dish (about 6 × 22 × 27 cm).
  • Start with a thin layer of tomato sauce, followed by 1/3 of the lasagne sheets, more tomato sauce, and cottage cheese. Repeat this process two more times and finish with a layer of cottage cheese. Bake in the middle of the oven at 200 °C for about 35 minutes.
  • Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese halfway through the baking time and finish baking.
  • Let the lasagne rest, covered, on the kitchen counter for about 10 minutes before serving.
Enjoy!

FAQ: Questions about cottage cheese lasagne

Use our answers to the most pressing questions about cottage cheese lasagne to get the best result. Keep reading below and prepare to make every lasagne delicious.

Can I make the cottage cheese lasagne in advance?
Yes, you can prepare this cottage cheese lasagne up to 3 days before you need to bake it. Just keep it covered and unbaked in the fridge. You can also freeze it unbaked. Once you are set to bake, let it thaw in the fridge overnight, then follow the baking instructions in the recipe.
How can I ensure my lasagne is not soggy?
Avoid a soggy lasagne by thoroughly cooking the vegetables to reduce their moisture content before adding them to the sauce. Let the sauce simmer for the full 20 minutes to thicken it and reduce excess liquid. If the sauce seems too runny, cook it a bit longer until it reaches the desired consistency. Ensure the cottage cheese is well-drained to avoid adding extra moisture.
Can I freeze the cottage cheese lasagne after it is baked?
Yes, you can freeze leftover baked lasagne. Let the leftovers cool, then cut into portions and wrap them in cling film and foil or put them in airtight, freezer-safe containers. Keep the lasagne in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat the frozen leftovers in a preheated oven until thoroughly hot. For a quicker option, microwave the portions in 30-40-second intervals until heated through.

Ingredients

Pulled chicken
Water
500 ml
Coarse salt
1 tsp
Chicken fillets (about 500 g)
3
Tomato sauce
Arla® LactoFREE Slightly Salted Spreadable
10 g
Red onions, finely chopped (about 125 g)
2
Small garlic cloves, finely chopped
3
Carrots, coarsely grated (about 200 g)
3
Celery, diced (about 150 g)
4 stalks
Cherry tomatoes (about 400 g)
1 can
Concentrated tomato purée (about 140 g)
1 can
Mild paprika
2 tsp
Basil leaves, finely chopped
100 ml
Coarse salt
2 tsp
Freshly ground black pepper
Lasagne
Whole wheat lasagne sheets
9
Cottage cheese
450 g
Mozzarella cheese, grated
50 g
To serve
Tomatoes salad with cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and red onions
Pine nuts
Other recipes
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Tips: Get the best cottage cheese lasagne

Master this cottage cheese lasagne with our top tips. It is certain to impress your loved ones with every bite!

Cover the dish

If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the lasagne with aluminium foil for the first 20–30 minutes of baking. Remove the foil for the last 10–15 minutes to allow the cheese to become golden and bubbly.

Let the lasagne rest

Let the lasagne rest for 10–15 minutes after baking. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to cut and serve neat portions.

Use the best tomatoes

To avoid an acidic or bitter tomato sauce, choose high-quality cherry tomatoes and tomato purée. If your sauce still tastes too acidic, you can balance it by adding a pinch of sugar.

Discover our easy recipe for cottage cheese lasagne with pulled chicken

Our cottage cheese lasagne with pulled chicken is a new take on the traditional recipe. The tender pulled chicken adds a savoury depth, perfectly complementing the creamy cottage cheese sauce. The chicken blends seamlessly with the rich tomato sauce, creating a robust and flavourful base that contrasts beautifully with the lightness of the cottage cheese.

Serve your lasagne with a fresh tomato salad with cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, red onions, and pine nuts. This refreshing side dish adds colour along with a tangy crunch. And for a bit of extra indulgence, consider serving it with garlic bread or grilled cheese on the side.

Warm and rich sauce from vegetables, tomato, and spices 

At the heart of this lasagne lies a warm, rich sauce made from fresh vegetables, ripe tomatoes, and a carefully selected blend of spices. Drawing inspiration from traditional Italian ragù, the recipe starts with red onions, garlic, carrots, and celery sautéed in butter to create a robust flavour base. Cherry tomatoes and tomato purée are added, infusing the sauce with layers of sweetness and depth. Gently simmered with mild paprika and fresh basil, this sauce ensures each bite is packed with delicious flavours.

With creamy cottage cheese and mozzarella on top

The creamy cottage cheese provides a light and refreshing contrast to the rich tomato sauce and tender pulled chicken. With its subtle tang and creamy texture, the cottage cheese melds splendidly with the other layers and adds to the richness of the lasagne. To top it all off, a generous sprinkle of grated mozzarella cheese creates a crispy, golden finish that melts beautifully over the layers.

A fresh take on the classic lasagne

You can never go wrong with a classic Italian lasagne, but it is amazing in all versions. Our version with cottage cheese and pulled chicken gives the dish a lighter, more delicate look and taste, and it is irresistible for anyone with a love for layered pasta and sauce. Try it out for your next dinner party or when you want to treat your family to something extra delicious.

Get inspired by other variations of the classic lasagne with some of our other recipes. Try a salmon lasagne, vegetarian lasagne, spinach and courgette lasagne, or beef and vegetable lasagne. All of them feature tasty, cheesy, rich, and creamy layers that are simply irresistible.

Experiment with the ingredients

Add fresh spinach to the layers for a vibrant green colour and subtle flavour. Sauté the spinach until it is just wilted, then drain any excess moisture to maintain the perfect consistency. Additional vegetables such as sautéed mushrooms, roasted peppers, or thin slices of courgette can add more flavour and texture.

For a delectable topping, try different cheeses. A combination of grated Parmesan and breadcrumbs can create a crispy, golden crust, or mix in other types of grated cheese, like grated cheddar or Emmental, for complex flavours.

If you are feeling adventurous, swap the traditional lasagne sheets for different pasta types. Penne, rigatoni, or even large pasta shells can be layered similarly. Just be sure to cook the pasta al dente to prevent it from becoming too soft during baking.

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